I was involved in arranging/attending a BBS party and it was pretty cool.  The difference being that everyone resided within the local calling codes of the BBS.  What was most surprising was that there were no surprises.  Even though we were anonymous and had nicknames, people were pretty much the same as their online personas.  I left the party a little too early though because apparently i missed Rapunzel's table dance.    If i remember correctly, she was the resident cat lady; an eccentric artist.